Corn Plants Research Articles

ANALISIS KADAR ALKALOID DAN FLAVONOID SEDUHAN RAMBUT JAGUNG (Zea mays L. ) DENGAN METODE SPEKTROFOTOMETRI UV-VIS

Corn silk is generally a waste of sweet corn plants after being harvested and is rarely used, however, on the other hand, corn silk is also used by the community as herbal medicine and is believed to reduce the risk of hypertension and other types of chronic diseases such as kidney infections. Corn silk is thought to contain metabolite compounds such as flavonoids, essential oils, steroids, and alkaloids. Alkaloid compounds can function as drugs and strong activators for immune cells that can destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells. Flavonoid compounds are compounds that have various bioactive effects such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-aging, and antioxidants. it is necessary to measure the levels of alkaloids and flavonoids from corn silk infusion to determine the levels of alkaloid and flavonoid compounds in corn silk infusion. The method used in this study is the Uv-Vis spectrophotometry method. The alkaloid content was calculated using the regression formula y = 0.0895x - 0.3046, the results obtained in the corn hair infusion extract were 46.36 mg / g extract, and the flavonoid content was calculated using the regression formula y = 0.0144 x - 0.025 and the results obtained in the corn hair infusion extract were 85.42 mg / g extract. So it can be concluded that corn hair infusion contains more flavonoid compounds, namely with alkaloid compound levels of 46.36 mg / g extract and flavonoid compounds of 85.42 mg / g extract.

Changes in the soil microbial community 5 years after the application of sewage sludge biochar to soils cultivated with corn

AbstractBackgroundSewage sludge biochar has been widely used in agriculture for various purposes; however, knowledge about its residual effect on the soil microbial community is limited.AimsThis study aimed to evaluate changes in the microbial community 5 years after the application of sewage sludge biochar.MethodsBiochar was produced from sewage sludge obtained at a wastewater treatment pyrolyzed at 300°C (Biochar300) and 500°C (Biochar500). Both biochar treatments were applied in corn fields for two growing seasons (2014/2015; 2015/2016). Biochar was not applied from the third (2016/2017) to the seventh (2020/2021) growing season to assess the residual effect. Soil samples were collected after harvesting in 2020/2021 growing season, therefore in the fifth year subject to the residual effects of biochar. The microbial community was evaluated by accessing bacterial and fungal groups using DNA techniques. Amplicon sequencing analysis was performed with the samples by Illumina MiSeq 250 bp.ResultsAt genus level, the Lachnospira, Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, Epulopiscium, and Parabacteroides were affected by Biochar500. Furthermore, at upper levels of taxonomy, this biochar treatment increased the relative abundance of bacterial classes Clostridiaceae and Bacteroidia and the fungal families Chaetomiaceae and Aspergillaceae. Concerning the relationship between microbial community and soil chemical properties, soil phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) were significantly affected by biochar treatments within the bacterial community; the fungal ones affected significantly soil P and potential acidity (H + Al).ConclusionsEven under the residual effect of 5 years, the application of biochar altered the microbial community on corn plantation, especially concerning on the richness and the abundance of some groups. Biochar500 was the most responsive among the treatments.

USE OF MOHID PLATFORM IN THE SIMULATION OF THE WATER TRANSPORT OF CONTAMINANTS IN THE CORN PLANTATION IN VARRE-SAI, RJ

Seeking to increase agricultural production and, at the same time, concern for the environment, this work seeks to use the MOHID Land platform coupled with the SWAT model to demonstrate the feasibility of applying such software to study the transport of contaminants in water environments. To this end, a simulation of a corn plantation was developed at the Panorama site, in the municipality of Varre-Sai, Rio de Janeiro. It was concluded that the MOHID Land platform can be used to study the transport of contaminants in water bodies, being a management tool and decision-making aid for engineers and public entities seeking to adopt measures to control pollution in the environment.

Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in East Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia: Genetic Characterization and Strain Detection

<em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em> J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an invasive pest of corn plants spreading throughout the world, including East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia. Despite the wide distribution, there is a lack of information on the strain or genetic diversity of the pest in NTT. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the strain of <em>S. frugiperda</em> from several areas in NTT with a molecular method using <em>cytochrome oxidase subunit 1</em> (<em>COI</em>)<em> </em>and <em>triose phosphate isomerase</em> (<em>Tpi</em>)<em> </em>gene markers. The<em> </em>samples were collected from 3 islands: Timor, Flores, and Sumba. Amplification of the marker genes was carried out using 3 specific primers to identify the strain obtained from samples. Subsequently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were sequenced and the DNA sequences were analyzed using the BioEdit and BLAST programs. Phylogeny analyses were carried out using the MEGA 11 program to verify the strain group of samples with reference isolates from other countries found in GenBank. The PCR results showed product amplicon size 811 bp for the <em>CO1A</em> marker. Based on phylogeny tree analysis using <em>COI </em>marker, <em>S. frugiperda </em>from NTT showed 2 clades, namely corn and rice strains. The characterization results showed that <em>S. frugiperda</em> in NTT comprised 63.6% corn and 36.4% rice strains. <em>COIB </em>classified <em>S. frugiperda</em> from NTT into the h4 haplotype subgroup, while <em>Tpi </em>gene marker was in the corn strain. This study provided valuable information regarding the strain of <em>S. frugiperda</em> in Indonesia to determine the appropriate control strategy.

Comparison of different fertilization rates on yield, evapotranspiration, and water use efficiency of sweet corn under drought-salinity stresses

The present study investigated the effects of three fertilization (N-P2O5-K2O) rates (F1: 240-100-120 kg ha-1, F2: 192-80-96 kg ha-1, F3: 154-64-77 kg ha-1) coupled with four irrigation practices (Control: C, irrigated at the 100% field capacity, Drought: D, irrigated 60% of C, Saline: S, irrigated at the 100% field capacity, Drought and saline: D+S, irrigated 60% of S) on sweet corn yield, evapotranspiration (ET), water use efficiency (WUE), and shoot fresh-dry weights. The obtained results depicted that the grain yield at D, S, and D+S treatments decreased by 24.2%, 46.6%, and 62.0%, respectively, relative to the C treatment. Moreover, grain yield at the F3 condition was reduced by 45.3% compared to the F1 condition. Additionally, the highest ET (330.7 mm) and yield (74.0 g) was achieved with F1×C treatment. The F2 and F3 treatments reduced WUE by 17.9% and 31.5%, respectively, compared to the F1 treatment. The highest reduction in yield, ET, WUE, and shoot fresh-dry weights was found at D+S irrigation treatment under all fertilization conditions. The tallest plants were observed in the F1×C treatment, being 24.0%, 33.5%, and 43.2% taller than plants in the F1×(D+S), F2×(D+S), and F3×(D+S) treatments, respectively. Under F3 conditions, exposing sweet corn plants to single or combined salinity and drought stress remarkably degraded the growth ability of the plants, and therefore, it is not economical and sustainable cultivation for agriculture. Finally, cultivation of sweet corn plants under individual or combined drought-salinity stress is not recommended due to the high reduction in grain yield.

Analysis of contaminant residues in honey bee hive matrices

Pollinators provide ecological services essential to maintaining our food supply and propagating natural habitats. Populations are in decline due to environmental stressors including pesticides, pathogens, and habitat loss. To better understand the impacts of pesticide exposures on colony health, a field survey in Ohio, USA was conducted to monitor the potential contamination of honey bee colonies by pesticides. Apiaries (n = 10) were situated across an agricultural gradient and samples were collected over a 4-week period encompassing corn planting. Dead bees from entrance traps (DBT), pollen, and in-hive (IH) matrices including bee bread, honey, larvae, and nurse bees were analyzed for a whole suite of pesticides. Out of 210 pesticides targeted, 68 residues were quantified across 306 samples. Neonicotinoids, miticides, and fungicides were the dominant pesticide classes identified throughout all the matrix types. Neonicotinoids were detected at higher concentrations and at higher frequencies compared to fungicides, specifically in field pollen samples. DBT also contained high concentrations of these two contaminant classes, although detection frequencies for neonicotinoids were typically lower. Overall, herbicides and non‑neonicotinoid insecticides were found with low frequency and at low concentrations. For most pesticide classes, trends for the mean concentrations were DBT > IH nurse bees > field pollen > IH larvae > IH honey. Pesticides were detected in 100 % of samples with concentrations ranging from 0.01 ppb (diphenylamine) to 2790 ppb (clothianidin). All samples were contaminated with at least two pesticide residues, while 19 samples presented over ten detects and maximum detections of 20 in DBT. Pesticide residues were positively correlated with agricultural gradients across sites and sampling periods. These findings reveal that foraging leads to the exposure of the entire colony to a wide range of pesticides. Moreover, residues determined in DBT serve as an effective proxy for monitoring hive matrices with significantly less disturbance to active hives.

Effectiveness of Weed Control on Two Varieties of Corn (Zea Mays L.) in West Aceh Regency

This research aims to find out which weed control techniques are most effective in suppressing weed growth on corn plants, to find out the interaction of manual, mechanical, and chemical weed control on corn plants, to find out the influence of weed control techniques on the production and growth of corn plants. This research be carried out in West Aceh Regency on corn farming land in the Pante Ceureumen District. The time allocation is from April to June 2014. The research was conducted using a randomized block design with a factorial pattern with two factors being studied. The first factor is the weed control technique (T): no control, manual control, using husk charcoal, chemical, atrazine + mesotrion 1.35 ml each 9 m² and the second factor is the variety (V): Bisi-2 and Bisi-18. Based on the treatment of 12 plots with 3 repetitions times until there are 36 experimental units. Each treatment plot measures 300 cm x 300 cm with a planting distance of 75 cm x 25 cm so that the number of sample plants in each plot is 48 plants and the number of sample plants in each plot is 8 plants. The distance between plots is 50 cm and the distance between replications is 100 cm. The results obtained from observations are analyzed using the F test. If the results obtained from the variance are significantly different at the 5% level. The result of the research that has been carried out is that the most effective control technique in suppressing weed growth in corn plants is found at T5 (chemistry, topramezone + atrazine 1.35 ml each 9 m², at 21, 40, and 56 HST), followed by T2 (culture technique using rice husk charcoal), T4 (Chemical, nicosulfuron + atrazine 1.35 ml each 9 m², at 21, 40, and 56 HST) and T1 (manual, at 21, 40, and 56 HST) have the same position, then T3 (chemistry, atrazine + mesotrione 1.35ml each 9 m², at 21, 40 and 56 HST), and the last position in weed control techniques is WC (without control).

Selectivity of Herbicides in Controlling Weeds in Corn (Zea mays L) With A Tegel and Jajar Legowo Planting Pattern in West Aceh Regency

Maize (Zea mays L.) has a strategic role in meeting global food needs. How is the selectivity of herbicides in cultivation patterns 1 (single rows) and 2 (double rows) in Maize plants (Zea Mays L), how is the combination of herbs and plant pattern suitable for the management of weeds in corn crops (Zea mays L), how are the interactions of selectivities of herbicides and cultivation of maize (Zea mays L). This study uses Random Group Design (RGD) factorial patterns where factor 1 (herbicide) and factor 2 (planting pattern). The herbicide is composed of 4 types: H0 (control), H1 (Atrazine 180g/l + Mesotrione 40g/ l + Nicosulfuron 20 g/l, H2 (Atazine 500g/L, Mesotrione 50 g/L) and H3 (Topramezone 10 g/ L + Atrazine 300 g/ l). While the planting pattern consists of 2 types: P1: single row (70 x 20 cm) and P2: double rows (100x20x40 cm). Some conclusions were obtained, among others: The use of the herbicide atrazine in several formulas within the tile and legowo planting patterns does not cause poisoning in corn plants. The combination of herbicides (Topramezon 10 g/l and Atrazine 300 g/l / Tile) is most suitable for corn plants. There is an interaction between the herbicide and the planting pattern on the parameters of ear weight without husk and ear length without husk, which shows significant differences

Image classification of leaf disease in corn plants (Zea Mays L.) using the MobileNetV2 method

One of the main problems leading to low yields and possible crop failure in maize, a crop of great importance to human civilization, is that plant diseases are discovered and treated too late, leading to more severe diseases and even crop failure. Using photos taken from the Kaggle platform and some field shots, this research seeks to develop a classification system that can identify different types of diseases present on maize leaves. The disease types identified include Common Rust, Gray Leaf Spot, and Bacterial Leaf Blight. MobileNetV2 uses a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) design to handle resource-intensive processes. To produce a lightweight model, this CNN uses separate corner shifts. The dataset for this study was taken from field shooting and the Kaggle platform. The study found that the MobileNetV2 model clarified objects very well with 93.01% accuracy. This discovery will help farmers find diseases on corn leaves (Zea Mays L.).

Pemberdayaan Petani Jagung dalam Mengolah Limbah Tongkol Jagung Empowerment of Corn Farmes in Processing Corn Cob Waste

Corn cob waste is a problem faced by corn farmers who live in Amplas Village, Dusun I Tambak Rejo, Percut Sei Tuan District, Deli Serdang Regency. This community service project was aimed to provide knowledge and training to the community about processing corn cob waste into organic fertilizer. The people involved were corn farmers those who were named the Reformasi Jaya Farmers Group. The method used was the lecture method by presenting agricultural expert speakers to provide knowledge to farmer groups. Apart from that, training was carried out, where farmer groups were taught and trained about processing corn cobs so that they become organic fertilizer. The results of this activity showed that the farming community was very enthusiastic and enthusiastic. Their knowledge increased by showing that they understood how to prepare fertilizer from processed corn cobs. After the fertilizer was applied to the corn plants, within 5 weeks, it was found that the stems and leaves of the corn plants were growing well. This fertilizer production was also expected to be able to improve the standard of living of farming communities.

RESPON PERTUMBUHAN DAN PRODUKSI TANAMAN JAGUNG PULUT TERHADAP PERLAKUAN PRUNING TONGKOL KEDUA DAN PENYEMPROTAN PUPUK PELENGKAP CAIR

This study was conducted to determine the response of corn plants to the second cob pruning treatment and liquid complementary fertilizer (LCF) spraying on the Growth and Production of Waxy Corn Plants (Zea mays ceratina L.). This study was conducted at the Experimental Garden of Pabentengan Bajeng Village, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, from September to December 2018. The materials used in this study were local waxy corn seeds, liquid complementary fertilizer (Bram Evolution) urea and NPK fertilizer. The Split Plot Design method was used. The main plot is without pruning and with pruning, while the sub-plot is Spraying Liquid Complementary Fertilizer (LCF) consisting of 4 levels, namely without LCF spraying, spraying with a concentration of 10 mL/L water, 20 mL/L water, and 30 mL/L water, 8 treatment combinations repeated 3 times to obtain 24 experimental units. The results of this study indicate that pruning the second cob increases the dry weight of the plant, seed weight per plant, seed weight per plot, and seed weight per hectare. LCF spraying and the interaction between pruning and LCF spraying treatments did not affect the observed parameters

Molecular Identification of Endophytic Fungi from Corn Plant as Antifungal Agent against Fusarium oxysporum

Molecular Identification of Endophytic Fungi from Corn Plant as Antifungal Agent against Fusarium oxysporum

PENGARUH WAKTU DAN LETAK PEMANGKASAN DAUN TERHADAP PRODUKSI DAN KANDUNGAN GULA TANAMAN JAGUNG MANIS (Zea mays L. Saccharate Sturt)

The study aims to determine the effect of leaf pruning time on the production and sugar content of sweet corn plants, analyze the effect of the location of sweet corn leaf pruning that provides the best production and sugar content, and analyze the effect of the interaction between leaf pruning time and pruning location on the production and sugar content of sweet corn plants. The study was conducted in January - March 2024 in an experimental field at the Gowa Agricultural Development Polytechnic (POLBANGTAN) Campus, Romanglopoa Village, Bontomarannu District, Gowa Regency. This study was conducted using a randomized block design (RBD) consisting of two factors. The first factor is the pruning time which consists of 3 levels: Leaf pruning at the age of 30 Day After Planting (DAP); Leaf pruning at the age of 40 DAP; and Leaf pruning at the age of 50 DAP. The second factor is the location of leaf pruning which consists of 3 levels, namely: Pruning 3 upper leaves; Pruning 3 lower leaves, and Pruning 1 upper leaf and 2 lower leaves. The results showed that pruning the three upper leaves at the age of 50 DAP produced the weight of the cob with the heaviest husk of 420.00 g and was significantly different from other treatments at the same age. The treatment between pruning at the age of 50 DAP and pruning the three upper leaves significantly affected the characteristics of sweet corn cobs, namely the diameter of the cob with the highest husk reaching 50.72 mm. The treatment of pruning at the age of 50 DAP with pruning the three upper leaves also affected the sugar content, with a brix content value reaching 15%, which was significantly different from other treatments at the same age.

PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM PEMULIA VARIETAS JAGUNG TALENTA ATAS PEREDARAN TANPA HAK BENIH OLEH PETANI KONTRAK MENURUT UNDANG-UNDANG NO 29 TAHUN 2000 TENTANG PERLINDUNGAN VARIETAS TANAMAN

(E) Plant Variety Protection Rights are special rights granted by the state to breeders and/or Protection of Plant Varieties rights holders to use their own varieties resulting from their breeding or to give approval to other people or legal entities to use them for a certain time. The main problem in this case is how legal protection is for corn plant breeders who produce the Talenta corn variety according to Law number 29 of 2000 on Protection of Plant Varieties and how the government is trying to prevent violations of breeders' rights. This research uses descriptive normative legal research methods, the type of data uses secondary data and is studied qualitatively, so that way of drawing conclusions uses deductive logic. The results and conclusions are Law number 29 of 2000 on Protection of Plant Varieties is adequate to protect breeders both from its articles and the implementation of law enforcement. Farmers do not yet understand what legal restrictions there are in implementing contracts, so the challenge lies in monitoring and controlling the use of plant varieties. Collaboration between plant breeders, government, related institutions, and the seed industry is key to maintaining the success of PVP systems.

Biological control of downy mildew Peronosclerospora spp. L. by application of endophytic agents in corn

ABSTRACT This research was carried out to evaluate endophytic biocontrol agents (eBCA) in inducing corn plant resistance to downy mildew Peronosclerospora spp. In this context, the estimation of total phenolic content and peroxidase (POD) enzyme activity was carried out in contrast to control without induction treatments. Corn seed treatment using three eBCA II.D2.2, DC.5, and AC.3 on susceptible and tolerant cultivars in a screenhouse and field showed variation in downy mildew reduction. The results showed that Trichoderma asperellum AC.3 treatment suppressed downy mildew by 2.7–23.0% in the screen house. In the field, resistance induction by applications of Bacillus cereus II.D2.2, Fusarium verticillioides DC.5, and T. asperellum AC.3 suppressed the infection from 23% to 79% on susceptible cultivars. However, the T. asperellum AC.3 treatment reported the highest suppression of 55–79% on tolerant and susceptible cultivars. Resistant induction with F. verticillioides DC.5 increased POD enzyme activity by 300.5% and suppressed the infection by 63% in the field. The pathogen suppression ability through the induction with eBCA was related to triggering the increase of total phenolic content and POD enzyme activity in plant tissues. Applications of B. cereus II.D2.2, F. verticillioides DC.5, and T. asperellum AC.3 suppressed downy mildew infection in the field through the induction of total phenolic content and POD enzyme activity in corn. Meanwhile, the best treatment using T. asperellum AC.3 was lower by 30–70% than the application of synthetic fungicide as control.

Application of coal-based solid waste artificial soil in the restoration of saline alkali land-taking the saline alkali land restoration of the Emao River in China as an example

In this paper, coal-based solid waste, including fly ash, desulfurization gypsum, furnace bottom slag, and coal washing sludge in the ratio of 3:2:3:2 with a total of 200 tons/0.07 hm2, were used as the specialized main material for restoring the saline alkali land of Emao River in Huairen of China. The remediation effect and safety of solid waste artificial soil were evaluated by testing the soil samples before and after the remediation. The results showed that the pH value of the soil after remediation decreased from 9.98 to 7.60, which was close to the neutral value and suitable for crop growth. The total amount of water-soluble salts decreased from 8.30 g kg−1 to 4.80 g kg−1 with a decrease of 42.2 %. The organic matter increased from 6.5 g kg−1 to 39.1 g kg−1 with a 5-fold increase. Compared to the original soil, the heavy metal content in the restored soil did not increased, but instead decreased, indicating that the restoration technology was feasible and meets environmental requirements. Corn planting experiment results showed that corn's emergence rate in the original saline alkali soil was extremely low (about 1 %), while in the restored soil reached over 99 %. The average yield of corn in restoration field was 16.56 % higher than the average local yield level. The residual content of heavy metals and organic toxic substances in corn and potatoes grown on restored soil were analyzed, and the results showed that the detected heavy metal content was far lower than the standard values, and the residual organic toxic substances were basically not detected, indicating that the agricultural fruits grown on restored soil were safe, harmless, and edible. This approach could achieve large-scale consumption of coal-based solid waste, increase arable land, and reduce the cost of restoring saline alkali land.

Cover crops and deep‐soil C accumulation: What does research show after 10 years?

AbstractThe extent to which cover crops (CCs) accumulate soil organic carbon (SOC) in the entire soil profile is still unclear. We measured SOC, permanganate oxidizable C (POX‐C), and particulate organic matter (POM) concentrations down to 60‐cm soil depth in early [2–3 week before corn (Zea mays L.) planting]‐ and late‐terminated (at corn planting) winter rye (Secale cereale L.) CCs in rainfed and irrigated no‐till continuous corn systems in the U.S. Corn Belt after 10 years. CCs increased SOC stock and SOC, POX‐C, and POM concentrations but only in the irrigated system in the upper 5‐cm depth. Late‐terminated CC increased SOC concentration by 4.710 ± 3.501 g kg−1 and accumulated SOC at 0.207 ± 0.145 Mg C ha−1 year−1. It increased POX‐C and POM concentrations, on average, by 1.194 times. CCs likely increased SOC in the irrigated system by producing more biomass (2.247 ± 0.370 Mg ha−1) than in the rainfed system (0.949 ± 0.338 Mg ha−1). At least 2 Mg ha−1 of CC biomass may be needed to increase SOC. Because winter CCs often produce <1 Mg ha−1 of biomass when typically planted late and terminated early, extending the CC growing window by terminating CCs at or after crop planting (planting green) may boost CC biomass and SOC accumulation, although high‐C soils or Mollisols, such as our study soils (>22 g C kg−1), may limit SOC gains. We submit CCs would sequester more SOC in low‐C, eroded, and low‐fertility soils. Overall, winter rye CCs minimally alter soil C in the soil profile in no‐till continuous corn systems after 10 years.

Activated Carbons Derived from Different Parts of Corn Plant and Their Ability to Remove Phenoxyacetic Herbicides from Polluted Water

In this study, the adsorption of phenoxyacetic acid (PAA) and its chlorinated derivatives, including 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4CPA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), on activated carbons (ACs) from corn kernels (AC-K), corn leaves (AC-L), and corn silk (AC-S) were investigated. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, and the film diffusion was the rate-limiting step. The adsorption rate increased in the order PAA < 4CPA < 2,4-D and was correlated with the porous structure (mesopore volume) of these ACs. The Langmuir isotherm models best fit the experimental data; PAA was adsorbed least and 2,4-D most preferentially. The observed trend (PAA < 4CPA < 2,4-D) was positively correlated with the molecular weight of the adsorbates and their hydrophobicity while being inversely correlated with their solubility in water. The adsorption for 2,4-D, according to the Langmuir equation, is equal to 2.078, 2.135, and 2.467 mmol/g and SBET 1600, 1720, and 1965 m2/g, respectively. The results for other herbicides showed a similar correlation. The adsorption of phenoxy herbicides was strongly pH-dependent. The ACs produced from corn biomass can be an eco-friendly choice, offering sustainable products that could be used as efficient adsorbents for removing phenoxyacetic herbicides from water.

The Effect of NASA Liquid Organic Fertilizer and Chicken Manure on the Growth of Sweet Corn Plants (Zea mays saccharata Sturt)

This research aims to determine the effect of a combination of NASA POC and chicken manure on the growth and production of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt). The research used a Randomized Group Design (RAK) with two treatment factors. The first factor is the administration of NASA Liquid Organic Fertilizer (A) consisting of 4 treatment levels, namely: A0 = 0 ml/liter of water (control), A1 = 2 ml/liter of water, A2 = 4 ml/liter of water and A3 = 6 ml /liter of water. The second factor is the provision of chicken manure (B) consisting of 3 treatment levels, namely: B1 = 2.25 kg/plot (7.5 tons/ha), B2 = 4.50 kg/plot (15 tons/ha) and B3 = 6.75 kg/plot (22.5 tons/ha). The results showed that giving NASA POC up to 6 ml/l of water significantly increased plant height, ear length, ear weight per plot and total dissolved solids. Providing chicken manure up to 6.75 kg/plot significantly increased plant height, ear length, weight per plot and total soluble solids. The interaction between NASA POC and chicken manure did not significantly affect plant height, ear length, weight per plot, or total dissolved solids.

Determination of The Critical Period of Sweet Corn Plants (Zea Mays Saccharata Sturt) Against Weed

The critical period is a time when cultivated plants are very sensitive to the presence of weeds so that the disturbance caused by them can reduce the final yield. So, no the entire growing period of plants is affected by weeds. This critical period relates to the time of proper control so that the presence of weeds does not always require control measures. This research aims to determine the critical period for sweet corn (Zea Mays Saccharata Surt) against weeds and the effect of weeds on the growth and yield of sweet corn plants. This research was carried out at Gampong Mesjid, Kaway XVI, West Aceh Regency, Soil Science Laboratory and Pest and Disease Laboratory, Agroecotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Malikussaleh University, North Aceh from February to April 2024. This research used an experimental method of randomized block design (RAK), the single factor that consists of 10 treatments with 3 repetitions. P1: 0-15 DAP with weeds, P2: 0-30 DAP with weeds, P3: 0-45 DAP with weeds, P4: 0-60 DAP with weeds, P5: 0-Weedy harvest, P6: 0-15 DAP weeds free, P7: 0-30 DAP weeds free, P8: 0-45 DAP weeds free, P9: 0-60 DAP weeds free, P10: 0-DAP harvest free from weeds. The observation data were analyzed using analysis of variance, the treatment average was obtained through Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DRMT) a the 0.05 level. The research results show that the critical period for sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) for weeds is determined at the age of 16-30 days after planting. Weed control carried out between 16-30 days of plant age will not inhibit the growth and yield of sweet corn plants.